Matthew 4:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:1-11

THE TEMPTATION . The Father's acceptance of the Lord's consecration of himself for the work of the kingdom does not exclude temptation, but rather necessitates it. Psychologically, the reaction from the ecstasy of joy in hearing the announcement of Matthew 3:17 was certain; ethically, such testing as would accompany the reaction was desirable. Even the Baptist was, as it seems, not without a special temptation during this period (cf. John 1:19 ; and Bishop Westcott's note). At the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:1-11

The temptation of Christ. I. THE PREPARATION , 1 . The Spirit. He was "full of the Holy Ghost" ( Luke 4:1 ). The Spirit had descended from heaven like a dove, and abode upon him. He was now in the full consciousness of his Divine mission. His sacred human nature was filled through and through with the abiding presence of the Holy Ghost: "God gave not the Spirit by measure unto him" ( John 3:34 ). His holy soul must have glowed with a deep, heavenly joy in ineffable communion... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:1-11

The temptation of Jesus. In his baptism our Lord was proclaimed as the Messiah. This must have intensified his feeling of the burden and glory of his vocation. A ferment of emotions must have been stirred in his soul. The inquisitive, critical eyes around him, the eager questioning to which he must straightway have been subjected, the necessity of determining what course he should pursue, made solitude a necessity for him at this time. He must ascertain with definiteness the principles which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:1-11

The temptation. This appears to have extended through the forty days of the sojourn of Jesus in the wilderness. Mark says, "He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan" ( Mark 1:13 ). The text describes only the acme at the close of the forty days. It is given as a specimen of the wiles of Satan, and forms an epitome of all the temptations he has ever contrived. From it we learn— I. THAT SATAN IS ARMED WITH FORMIDABLE POWERS . 1 . Probably he appeared in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:2

And when he had fasted … he was afterwards an hungred . He was so absorbed in prayer that it was only after his six weeks meditation that he felt the need of food. But though his humanity had been elevated and his spiritual sense quickened by this at the time almost unconscious fast, it left him physically prostrate and completely exposed to attack. "In certain morbid conditions, which involve a more or less entire abstinence from food, a period of six weeks generally brings about a crisis,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:2-4

The temptation of hunger. This was a serious encounter. One rebuff was not sufficient to drive off the tempter. The devil is most persevering; only persevering resistance can hope to overcome him. The successive temptations were varied in form. The tempter is wily and subtle. If he does not succeed in one way he will try another. Each temptation has its own features; yet there is a common character running through them all. In every case Jesus was urged to use his miraculous powers and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:2-4

The first ordeal-temptation recorded of Jesus. This reply of Jesus to the first temptation specially recorded as addressed to him by Satan is a quotation from Deuteronomy 8:1-20 . —part of the language spoken by the lips of Moses, but dictated by the Spirit of God for the admonishment of his people. The words occur in that impressive review which Moses took of the career of the people whom he had led like a flock through the wilderness, when now the time was approaching for those... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:3

The tempter ( 1 Thessalonians 3:5 only; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:3 ). Came ; came up to him ( προσελθών ) . The word expresses local nearness, and suggests, though we cannot affirm it as certain, that he appeared visibly. The thought of physical nearness is continued in "taketh him" ( Matthew 4:5 , Matthew 4:8 ), and "the devil leaveth him" and "angels came near" ( Matthew 4:11 ; cf. Matthew 4:5 , note). On the other hand, such expressions may be parabolic, and intended to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:3

Temptation through physical conditions. In this and two later homilies the several temptations are to be more precisely treated. The four homilies will be suggestive of a series of sermons on the "Lord's temptation." The temptation must be closely associated with the baptism. The one thing necessary to the understanding of it is our apprehension of the fact, that Jesus had become suddenly conscious of the trust of miraculous powers; and he had to fix the principle on which alone he would use... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 4:2

Had fasted - Abstained from food.Forty days and forty nights - It has been questioned by some whether Christ abstained wholly from food, or only from the food to which he was accustomed. Luke says Luke 4:2 that he ate nothing. This settles the question. Mark says Mark 1:13 that angels came and ministered unto him. At first view this would seem to imply that he did eat during that time. But Mark does not mention the time when the angels performed this office of kindness, and we are at liberty to... read more

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